The Troublesome Reign of King John

By Good Press

This is a drama that was first performed in 1590 by The Queen's Men. No one knows for sure who wrote it, but it was evidently the inspiration for Shakespeare's play 'The Life and Death of King John'. Characters in it include Queen Eleanor, William Marshall Earl of Pembroke, and the Earls of Salisbury and Essex.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Good Press
• Release date: Apr 11, 2021
• ISBN: 4064066447410

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The Troublesome Reign of King John

Published by Good Press, 2021

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EAN 4064066447410

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The Troublesome Reign of King John

Table of Contents

Scene 1

Table of Contents

Enter King John, Queen Eleanor his mother, William Marshal Earl of Pembroke, the earls of Essex and of Salisbury.

Queen Eleanor

Barons of England, and my noble lords: Though God and fortune have bereft from us Victorious Richard, scourge of infidels, And clad this land in stole of dismal hue, Yet give me leave to joy, and joy you all, That from this womb hath sprung a second hope, A king that may in rule and virtue both Succeed his brother in his empery.

King John

My gracious mother queen, and barons all: Though far unworthy of so high a place, As is the throne of mighty England’s king, Yet John your lord, contented uncontent, Will (as he may) sustain the heavy yoke Of pressing cares that hang upon a crown. My Lord of Pembroke, and Lord Salisbury, Admit the Lord Chatillon to our presence, That we may know what Philip king of France (By his ambassadors) requires of us.

Queen Eleanor

Dare lay my hand that Eleanor can guess Whereto this weighty embassade doth tend: If of my nephew, Arthur, and his claim, Then say my son I have not missed my aim.

Enter Chatillon and the two earls[, Pembroke and Salisbury].

King John

My lord Chatillon, welcome into England! How fares our brother Philip king of France?

Chatillon

His Highness at my coming was in health, And willed me to salute your majesty, And say the message he hath given in charge.

King John

And spare not, man, we are prepared to hear.

Chatillon

Philip, by grace of God most Christian king of France, having taken into his guardain and protection Arthur, duke of Brittany, son and heir to Jeffrey thine elder brother, requireth in the behalf of the said Arthur, the kingdom of England, with the lordship of Ireland, Poitiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine; and I attend thine answer.

King John

A small request—belike he makes account That England, Ireland, Poitiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine, Are nothing for a king to give at once! I wonder what he means to leave for me. Tell Philip, he may keep his lords at home With greater honor than to send them thus On embassades that not concern himself, Or if they did, would yield but small return.

Chatillon

Is this thine answer?

King John

It is, and too good an answer for so proud a message.

Chatillon

Then, King of England, in my master’s name, And in Prince Arthur Duke of Brittany’s name, I do defy thee as an enemy, And wish thee to prepare for bloody wars.

Queen Eleanor

My lord—that stands upon defiance thus— Commend me to my nephew; tell the boy, that I, Queen Eleanor, his grandmother, Upon my blessing charge him leave his arms, Whereto his headstrong mother pricks him so. Her pride we know, and know her for a dame That will not stick to bring him to his end, So she may bring herself to rule a realm. Next wish him to forsake the king of France, And come to me and to his uncle here, And he shall want for nothing at our hands.

Chatillon

This shall I do, and thus I take my leave.

King John

Pembroke, convey him safely to the sea, But not in haste; for as we are advised, We mean to be in France as soon as he, To fortify such towns as we possess In Anjou, Touraine, and in Normandy.

Enter the Shrieve, and whispers the Earl of Salisbury in the ear.

Salisbury

Please it your Majesty, here is the shrieve of Northamptonshire, with certain persons that of late committed a riot, and have appealed to your Majesty beseeching your Highness for special cause to hear them.

King John

Will them come near, and while we hear the cause, Go, Salisbury, and make provision; We mean with speed to pass the sea to France. Say shrieve, what are these men? what have they done? or whereto tends the course of this appeal?

Shrieve

Please it your Majesty, these two brethren unnaturally falling at odds about their father’s living have broken your highness’ peace, in seeking to right their own wrongs without cause of law, or order of justice, and unlawfully assembled themselves in mutinous manner, having committed a riot, appealing from trial in their country to your highness: and here I, Thomas Nidigate, shrieve of Northamptonshire, do deliver them over to their trial.

King John

My Lord of Essex, will the offenders to stand forth, and tell the cause of their quarrel.

Essex

Gentlemen, it is the king’s pleasure that you discover your griefs, and doubt not but you shall have justice.

Philip

Please it your majesty, the wrong is mine; yet will I abide all wrongs, before I once open my mouth to unrip the shameful slander of my parents, the dishonor of myself, and the wicked dealing of my brother in this princely assembly.

Robert

Then by my prince his leave shall Robert speak, And tell your majesty what right I have To offer wrong, as he accounteth wrong. My father—not unknown unto your grace— Received his spurs of knighthood in the field At kingly Richard’s hands in Palestine, Whenas the walls of Acon gave him way: His name, Sir Robert Falconbridge of Mountberry. What by succession from his ancestors, And warlike service under England’s arms, His living did amount to at his death Two thousand marks revenue every year; And this, my lord, I challenge for my right, As lawful heir to Robert Falconbridge.

Philip

If first-born son be heir indubitate By certain right of England’s ancient law, How should myself make any other doubt, But I am heir to Robert Falconbridge?

King John

Fond youth, to trouble these our princely ears Or make a question in so plain a case: Speak, is this man thine elder brother born?

Robert

Please it your grace with patience for to hear; I not deny but he mine elder is, Mine elder brother too; yet in such sort, As he can make no title to the land.

King John

A doubtful tale as ever I did hear, Thy brother and thine elder, and no heir. Explain this dark enigma.

Robert

I grant, my lord, he is my mother’s son, Base born, and base begot, no Falconbridge. Indeed the world reputes him lawful heir; My father in his life did count him so; And here my mother stands to prove him so. But I, my lord, can prove, and do aver Both to my mother’s shame and his reproach, He is no heir, nor yet legitimate. Then, gracious lord, let Falconbridge enjoy The living that belongs to Falconbridge, And let not him possess another’s right.

King John

Prove this, the land is thine by England’s law.

Queen Eleanor

Ungracious youth, to rip thy mother’s shame, The womb from whence thou didst thy being take. All honest ears abhor thy wickedness, But gold I see doth beat down nature’s law.

Mother

My gracious lord, and you, thrice reverend dame, That see the tears distilling from